Christmas Memories

Even though the holiday is well over I can still share with you the memories. They were particularly sweet this year. Being jobless during the Christmas Season is not an experience I would ever look for but has brought many tender expressions of love and kindness that we never would have had if this had not been our situation this year. I had some initial trouble getting into the spirit this year. I was struggling to keep my anxiety in check as all the normal things that go by without much notice seemed to each be carrying baseball bats and having a whack at me instead of moving on quietly. I started praying for help to be calm, have peace over the things that were beyond my control and feel like the Lord remembered us. Soon bit by bit I could see and feel the things I had been praying for. Gifts started appearing on the doorstep. Cards came in the mail. Phone calls would come at just the right moments to cheer me up. Family, neighbors and friends nurtured and blessed us at every turn. Soon the scripture came to mind about blessings pouring out and not having room enough to receive them. The fridge was full, the pantry was full, our hearts were full. There would be money for little necessities and gifts. We had a family council about how we could have a good Christmas and use our resources wisely. We decided on a "Family Christmas". We would have gifts not so much for individuals but for the family. There are a lot of things we enjoy together and if the money did not have to be divided so many times over we could spend it on some good gifts and some important things too. The day came and I was a little nervous to see if the kids could really enjoy gifts for everyone. My worry was for naught. The morning was the best Christmas I can recall. Everyone was pleased and happy. The "Family Christmas" really carried a special spirit of unity. No one was worried about how much they got or who was touching their stuff. They had all things common among them and it was a beautiful thing. Here is my group each wearing something new and looking cool, so not quite all things common among them. Then this is them with some of the gifts they received as a family.